Today we’d like to introduce you to Micky Luciano
Hi Micky, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a neonatal ICU nurse since I graduated. I have a passion for preemies, and I loved the idea of working in an ICU setting since I was in nursing school. I knew I wanted to do something that challenged me on a critical thinking skill level, but something that I loved doing every day. I became really close to my coworkers, and I still to this day keep my home hospital job on a PRN occasional basis, but I have big dreams to go back to school to become a CRNA. Unfortunately, due to the competitive nature of the program, you sign a contract with the school that does not allow you to work past the first semester. Which is why I decided I needed to find a way to save three years’ worth of income. That is when I started to look into traveling. It was very daunting at first. I am a creature of habit, I like to know what to expect, and I love being close to my family and friends. I almost committed to doing it a year prior, but I got cold feet. Then COVID hit, and it changed nursing completely. A lot of nurses left to stay at home with their family, and the influx of at home jobs made it easier to do just that. Increase in census across the nation caused for an increased need of nurses. Travel prices skyrocket. My home hospital had to make some financial cuts that affected my pay and ability to pick up overtime shifts, but it gave me the much needed push I needed to start traveling. I have been travel nursing for two years now, and I haven’t looked back.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there’s a ton of struggles with travel nursing. For my case in particular, I left my family, and my dogs at home to do so. It occasionally gets lonely on the road because you’re never in one spot long enough to solidify new friendships. Luckily for me, I also am a small book influencer on my downtime, and I have found the most amazing online community who has always supported me. I also bring one of my three dogs with me as a travel companion. Another struggle is that sometimes travel nursing can be seasonal, especially as a neonatal ICU nurse. This specialty doesn’t provide quite as may opportunities and censes for this population usually peeks in the fall and winter months. A lot of travel nurses try and take off for the holidays, so there is a mass competition for positions during January and February. I spent this last January off of work for a month and half, and my saving grace was my savings account and my PRN occasional position back home that allowed me to pick up some shifts to supplement income. Finding housing is sometimes cumbersome as well. Ideally, you’d like to find lodging that doesn’t eat up all your tax-free stipends, so you can pocket any excess. Traveling with other travel nurses can help cut the cost of housing expenses. I travel with my dog, and sometimes finding housing that allows him to stay with me can also be a struggle.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a travel neonatal ICU nurse. I am a delivery team nurse and a relief charge when the time arises. I am on small baby team back at home which is nurses who have taken specialty classes for infants less than 1000g or less than 28 weeks. I have several certifications as well.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck is a component to a degree when it comes to finding new travel assignments. Seeing an assignment popup first and getting applied to it quickly can have a great impact, but on the other hand having a great recruiter who is watching out for your needs will go a long way as well. Sometimes experience and a well built resume will help you edge out the competition as well. I always suggest ‘not acclimating’ to your new pay. Be great at stashing money away for a rainy day. I also have some side hustles for extra cash in between assignments. Like I’ve mentioned before, I am a Booktoker and Bookstagrammer so I have some passive income from that as well.
Pricing:
- I’m not really sure if it’s necessary or bullet format worthy, but I’d be happy to discuss how stipends work when it comes to travel nursing.
- Attempt to spend no more than one week’s pay (preferably less) on housing cost. If possible stick to one weeks stipends (not salary) or less for lodging.
Contact Info:
- Website: I don’t have links related to travel nursing, but here are my book related links: https://linktr.ee/NefariousReads
